Beezus Quimby

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Beezus Quimby is Beatrice Ann Quimby, a character created by Beverly Cleary. She appears in the Henry Huggins and Ramona books as Henry Huggins’ intelligent neighbor and Ramona’s older sister. Ramona has trouble saying “Beatrice,” which is how Beezus got her nickname. Beezus admires their Aunt Beatrice and is usually a kind, studious older sister who also teases Ramona in a playful way.

In the early Henry Huggins books, Beezus is a close friend of Henry, often frustrated by Ramona’s antics. After the focus shifts mainly to Ramona, Beezus remains a thoughtful, responsible sister who sometimes vents her frustrations, such as when her father loses his job in Ramona and Her Father. She also shows pride and responsibility, like when she is chosen to portray the Blessed Virgin Mary in a Nativity play.

Beezus ages along with Ramona throughout the series. In Beezus and Ramona she is 9 turning 10, in Ramona the Brave she is 11, in Ramona and Her Mother and Ramona and Her Father she is 12, in Ramona Quimby, Age 8 and Ramona Forever she is 13, and in Ramona and Beezus she is 14 and starting high school in Ramona’s World (the film keeps her at the same age as in the book).

Film and TV adaptations:
- 1988 Ramona TV show: Beezus played by Lori Chodos.
- 2010 live-action film Ramona and Beezus: Beezus played by Selena Gomez; Ramona is played by Joey King. The movie spans multiple Ramona books rather than focusing on one.
- Beezus is generally portrayed as a kind but occasionally strict sister who offers sisterly wisdom to Ramona. She also has a cat named Picky-picky and a cousin named Howie Kemp.